2 pokes and 8 vials of blood

Could you please just let me know before you stick the needle into my arm so I don't have to be picked up off the floor?

A question I've asked all too many times in my life.  The last time being Wednesday November 30, 2011, at 3:05 p.m.  To the naked eye I am a healthy young woman.  (Side note: However if I were pregnant at my age they would consider me a geriatric patient!)  What the majority of my friends and acquaintances don't know... is that I live with a chronic illness.  I won't get into all the nitty gritty of how it all came to be simply because: 1) you won't really be interested, 2) I don't want your pity, and 3) I don't want your unsolicited advice.  The last one being the reason I blog about it tonight...

All too many times when someone finds out you live with a chronic illness they have a plethora of advice to share on how you should take care of yourself, what medications you should try, what life style changes you should make or what you should do from here.  For those of you who share in this experience with me you can appreciate the following blog I came across... and yes- humor is one way I help myself stay healthy.

As quoted from the article written by Amy-Beth Maran , © 2007 on the website: http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com

"The top ten worst suggestions commonly given to someone with a chronic illness:
1)Have you tried holistic options? (Many. I’ll bring it back up with my doctor on my next visit, thanks.)
2) Could it be your stress? (My opinion is, it is my illness. I’ll bring it up with my doctor though, thanks.)
3) Could it have to do with the altitude? (I’ll bring it up with my doctor…thanks.)
4) I read in {insert any generic magazine here} about a new medication. Have you heard about it? (I was on it when it came out 17 years ago, but I’ll bring it up with my doctor. Thank you.)
5) Have you thought about being in a trial study? (I’ll ask my doctor. Thanks?)
6) WOW. If I were you, I don’t know what I would do. I might just kill myself. (Thanks?)
7) Have they found what is causing the problem? (No. My doctor is an idiot. I’ll remind him, thanks!) Have you tried hypnosis? (I’m still sick, but when the phone rings I bark like a dog.)
9) Have you googled your illness? (….no! thanks!)
10 Have you ever thought you were getting sick because you haven’t wrapped your house in aluminum foil because, you know, the aliens have been bugging our houses for the past 30 years and in some cases, making people really sick. I read on…..gee I lost the web site. but it’s true! I heard it from Sally’s cousin’s sister-in- law. And then every time you use deodorant you would think you would be warding off these bugging rays, but it still makes it worse, so you are not being pro-active to your health by wearing that deodorant. I can’t believe you! If you wanted to get better you would stop wearing deodorant..(voice gets fainter and fainter the further you just walk away.) THANKS!!!!!!!!!!"

On an ending note... all tests from the 8 vials of blood are normal.  What I am doing for myself, under the guidance of a wonderful physician, works.